Reflective Assignment
Looking back on the material covered this semester, I have gained a deeper understanding of the complexity of ethical decision-making in real-world professional situations. Initially, I viewed ethical choices as relatively clear-cut. However, examining scenarios like Bill Sourour’s experience with the pharmaceutical website quiz has illuminated how professionals often face conflicting responsibilities and pressures from various stakeholders. This case study, among others, demonstrates that ethical decisions rarely exist in a vacuum. Instead, they are influenced by a complex web of factors including company policies, client demands, personal values, and societal expectations.
One of the most significant realizations from this course is that adhering to a code of ethics or company policies, while important, is insufficient for truly ethical professional conduct. Ethical decision-making in professional contexts requires ongoing reflection, moral courage, and active consideration of broader implications. Professionals must continually assess the potential consequences of their work, not just for their immediate clients or employers, but for society at large. This expanded perspective on professional responsibility was not something I had fully grasped before.
The need for continuous ethical vigilance has emerged as a crucial aspect of professional responsibility. This involves regularly questioning the ethical implications of one’s work, being alert to potential ethical issues in day-to-day tasks, and having the willingness to speak up when identifying ethical concerns. The most challenging is the necessity to challenge superiors or established practices when they conflict with ethical principles. This requires moral courage and the ability to articulate ethical concerns effectively and professionally.
As I look ahead to my future career, I now recognize that I will inevitably encounter ethically complex situations where the “right” course of action is not immediately apparent. The ethical frameworks and case studies we have examined have equipped me with tools to analyze such dilemmas more thoughtfully from multiple perspectives. These analytical skills include identifying stakeholders and their interests, considering short-term versus long-term consequences, applying different ethical theories to the situation, and evaluating potential courses of action.
The most valuable lesson from this course is the importance of cultivating personal integrity. This involves developing a keen sense of personal ethics, aligning one’s actions with one’s values, and being willing to advocate for ethical practices, even when it is uncomfortable. The course has reinforced that having the courage to stand up for ethical principles, even when it may be professionally disadvantageous, is a fundamental aspect of being a responsible professional.
This exploration of professional ethics has transformed my understanding of ethical decision-making in the workplace. It has highlighted the ongoing nature of ethical consideration, the importance of moral courage, and the need for a broader perspective on professional responsibility. I now understand that ethical behavior is not just about following rules, but about actively engaging in complex situations and making difficult choices that align with one’s values and professional responsibilities.
Moreover, this course has emphasized the importance of continuous learning and self-reflection in maintaining ethical standards. As technology advances and societal norms evolve, new ethical challenges will inevitably arise. Professionals must stay informed about these developments and be prepared to adapt their ethical frameworks accordingly. This ongoing commitment to ethical growth and adaptation is crucial for maintaining integrity throughout one’s career.
In conclusion, as I move forward in my career, I feel better prepared to navigate the complex ethical landscape of the professional world. I am armed with a more nuanced understanding of ethical frameworks, the importance of personal integrity, and the skills needed to analyze and address ethical dilemmas. While I recognize that I will face challenging situations, I am confident in my ability to approach them thoughtfully and with a strong ethical foundation. This course has not only expanded my knowledge but has also instilled in me a deep commitment to upholding ethical standards in my professional life.
FOUNDATION OF MY CAREER JOURNEY
TRYFENE SCOTT
Old Dominion University
IDS 493
Professor David Prihoda
April 5, 2025
Foundations of My Career Journey
My journey began with a deep passion for epidemiology and public health. As an epidemiologist specializing in infectious diseases, I thrived in investigating patterns of disease transmission and implementing strategies to protect communities. This career reflected my core values of protecting others and contributing to societal well-being. However, my career took an unexpected turn when a severe health crisis forced me to reevaluate my path. The physical and emotional toll of my work became unsustainable, creating a conflict between my dedication to public health and the need to safeguard my own well-being. This event became the inciting incident that set the stage for a dramatic shift in my professional life. Looking back, I can see how these experiences have incrementally shaped my identity as someone within the field of Cybersecurity. This narrative aims to explore this evolution, drawing upon the concepts discussed in our class readings by Smith (2017), McAdams (2001), and Nguyen (2013) to analyze the trajectory of my professional self.
Exploring New Possibilities
As I grappled with the challenges of leaving a career I loved, my son encouraged me to consider alternative paths where I could apply my investigative skills without compromising my health. He suggested cybersecurity—a field that would allow me to protect others in a different capacity. Initially hesitant, I began exploring this unfamiliar domain by reading books and journals on cybersecurity, uncovering parallels between protecting public health and safeguarding digital environments. This exploration introduced new obstacles: learning technical concepts, adapting to a different field, and overcoming self-doubt about starting anew. These challenges represented the rising action as I sought to redefine my professional identity (McAdams, 2001; StudioBinder, 2024).
During this phase, I also reflected on how cybersecurity aligned with my values. McAdams (2001) describes thematic coherence as identifying recurring values that unify life experiences. For me, the theme of protection ran through both epidemiology and cybersecurity, providing continuity even as I transitioned careers. This realization motivated me to embrace the challenges of learning a new field and envision how I could contribute meaningfully to digital security.
A Turning Point in My Career
The turning point came when I realized that cybersecurity offered me a way to continue protecting others—this time from digital threats rather than physical ones. McAdams (2001) describes causal coherence as linking specific events to decisions that shape one’s evolving identity. For me, the health crisis became the catalyst for this realization, aligning my investigative mindset with a new purpose. This moment of clarity marked the climax of my story, as I committed fully to pursuing cybersecurity as both an academic discipline and a career path (Knowadays, 2025).
Now, I began formal education in cybersecurity, immersing myself in courses that deepened my understanding of threat analysis, network security, and ethical hacking. The process was challenging but rewarding, as it allowed me to apply my analytical skills in innovative ways. The climax was not just about choosing cybersecurity—it was about embracing it as an opportunity to reinvent myself while staying true to my core values.
Building Skills and Confidence
Following this decision, I dedicated myself to acquiring technical skills and knowledge in cybersecurity. Overcoming initial challenges with coding languages and threat analysis tools strengthened my resolve and reaffirmed my ability to adapt. Nguyen (2013) observed that reflecting on life events helps uncover new possibilities for the future. Similarly, this phase allowed me to reframe setbacks as opportunities for growth, reinforcing the thematic coherence of my story an enduring commitment to protecting others.
As I progressed in my studies, I began applying what I learned through internships and collaborative projects. These experiences helped bridge the gap between theory and practice while building confidence in my ability to contribute effectively to this field. For example, during one internship at a cybersecurity firm, I worked on identifying vulnerabilities in client networks—a task that required both technical expertise and critical thinking skills honed during my epidemiology career.
Redemption Through Purpose
Smith (2017) identifies redemption stories as narratives where adversity transforms into opportunity. My journey exemplifies this arc, as I turned a personal health crisis into a chance to contribute meaningfully through cybersecurity. By protecting digital spaces, I found a way to align my core values with a new career path. The resolution lies not only in achieving academic success but also in envisioning a future where I can safeguard communities from cyber threats (ProWritingAid, 2022).
The dénouement of this narrative is characterized by closure and forward momentum. While the transition from epidemiology to cybersecurity was initially daunting, it became an empowering experience that reaffirmed my resilience and adaptability. Looking ahead, I aspire to specialize further in areas such as threat intelligence or policy development—fields where I can make a tangible impact on digital security while continuing to uphold the values that have guided me throughout my career.
Reflections on Narrative Identity
In retrospect, structuring my life story through Freytag’s Pyramid reveals how pivotal moments shaped both my identity and career trajectory. McAdams’ (2001) framework helps illuminate how causal coherence—the link between specific events like the health crisis—and thematic coherence—the recurring value of protection—combined to guide me toward cybersecurity. Nguyen (2013) emphasizes that reflecting on these connections allows individuals to uncover new possibilities for growth and transformation.
A Forward-Looking Perspective
The process of reflecting on my past experiences and identifying these causal and thematic connections has significantly contributed to how I now identify as a person in Cybersecurity. As someone in cybersecurity, my professional identity is rooted in being a problem-solver and protector, driven by a passion for safeguarding digital environments from evolving threats. I value integrity, adaptability, and a proactive mindset, ensuring I stay ahead in securing systems and helping others navigate the complexities of the digital world. This identity is not static but is continuously evolving, informed by past experiences and future aspirations (Nguyen, 2013). The emphasis on “reflective learning” (“Understanding Reflection (1).pdf”) suggests that this ongoing process of self-assessment and learning from experience is crucial for continued professional growth.
Conclusion
Reflecting on my academic and work life has been a valuable exercise in understanding the multifaceted influences that have shaped my professional identity. By connecting these experiences to the theoretical frameworks of narrative psychology and portfolio pedagogy, I can see the causal links, thematic patterns, and the transformative power of reflection in constructing who I am as someone in Cybersecurity. This is not the end of the story, but rather a crucial chapter in an ongoing narrative of learning, adaptation, and the continuous evolution of my professional self. My narrative is undoubtedly one of redemption (Smith, 2017), where adversity became an opportunity for reinvention and renewed purpose. By embracing cybersecurity as both a challenge and an opportunity, I have found a way to align personal values with professional aspirations, a journey that continues to unfold with each new step.
References
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McAdams, D. P. (2001). The psychology of life stories. Review of General Psychology, 5(2), 100–122. https://doi.org/10.1037/1089-2680.5.2.100
Nguyen, C. F. (2013). The e-portfolio as a living portal: A medium for student learning, identity, and assessment. International Journal of EPortfolio, 3(2), 135–148.
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